If a day in the sand and the sun is what you enjoy, the Houghton Lake Area is the place for you. With dozens of resorts, motels and lodges located right on the water and many more public beaches and picnic areas, you will have your pick of the right beach for you. There are great public beaches that include swimming, children toys, barbecue pits and sheltered picnic areas and some even have showers and toilets.
Gerrish Township Community Park & Marina
103 Mill Road - Roscommon
Has a picnic area, beach and marina.
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North Higgins Lake State Park Day Use Area
11747 North Higgins Lake Drive - Roscommon
Located on North Higgins Lake Dr. on the north shore of Higgins Lake. This large day use area has a sandy swimming beach, a bathhouse, playground structure, a large picnic shelter and a boat launch. Admission is by State Park sticker.
Phoenix Park
West Higgins Lake Dr. - Lyon Township
Located on West Higgins Lake Dr. in Lyon Township. This beachfront park has a sandy swimming beach and a playground area on the west Shore of Higgins Lake. There is no changing area, but they do have vault toilets.
South Higgins Lake State Park Day Use Area
County Road 100 - South Higgins Lake
Located on County Road 100 on the south shore of Higgins Lake. This large day use area contains a sandy swimming beach, bath house, camp/beach store, playground area, large picnic shelters (available for private parties) and a boat launch. Admission is by a State Park sticker.
Heights Park Beach
across the street from the Houghton Lake Heights Post Office on Hubbard Street
This park has a swimming beach on the south shore of Houghton Lake. It contains a sandy beach, playground equipment, pavilion, picnic tables and grills, vault toilets.
Sullivan Beach
Park Street - Houghton Lake
Located on the East Bay of Houghton Lake on Park Street, behind Chase Bank, one block south of M-55 in Prudenville. This park has a swimming area in the East Bay area of Houghton Lake. They also have restrooms, a playground area and drinking water.
Cove Park & Township Marina
Cove Drive - St Helen
Formerly known as Carter's Cove
Great Getaways: Windsurfing on Higgins Lake
Gerrish Township Park
County Road 103 (Marl Lake Rd) behind the Gerrish Township Fire Station
There is a sheltered picnic area, playground, tennis courts, and plenty of grassy play areas. They also have portable bathrooms.
Happy Landing Playground
M-55 on the Collins Elementary School property
This large wooden playground, with a separate areafor toddlers, is located on the Collins elementary School property. This playground is not open to the public during school hours.
Houghton Lake Community Center Park
This Park is located behind the Pines Theatre on M-55, next to the Houghton Lake Community Center.
This area has picnic tables and tennis courts and a small playground area.
Lakeview Park
Federal Avenue & M55 - Houghton Lake
South shore of Houghton Lake on M55 at Federal Ave and Towerhill Rd. Fishing Pier, Playground equipment, canoe and Kayak launch and pier fishing, ADA accessible, pavilion, picnic tables, grill.
Park 27
10635 N Harrison Road - Lyon Township
Located on N. Harrison Road (Old US 27) in Lyon Township. This park has playground equipment for children, tennis/pickle ball courts, dog run, and an ice rink. Their pavilion is available to rent.
Truman Gardner Park
County Road 100, next to the Blodgett Roscommon County Airport.
This Park is a picnic area on County Road 100. It has playground equipment, tennis courts, an ice skating/hockey rink, a Gazebo and restrooms.
Richfield Township Park
Airport Road - St. Helen
This park contains 2 playgrounds, a softball field, a tennis court, a place to rent outdoor gear, and a nice size game room including board and arcade games.
Skinner Park
8555 Knapp Rd (1/2 Mile S. of M55)Houghton Lake, MI 48629
Softball fields, pavilions w/grills, playground equipment, soccer field and basketball court. Includes a ¾ mile walking trail with nine fitness equipment stations through the pine trees - also nice for snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
Rotary Park
County Road 100 - Denton Township
This sheltered picnic area is across from the soccer fields, ideal for a nice picnic with the family, rain or shine. Available for group parties and reunions, call (989)366-5644 for information and directions.
Trestle Park
2378 S. Gladwin Road - Prudenville
A beautiful, universally accessible park, with a covered dining area, fishing/viewing dock, rain garden, logging mural on the south west shore of Houghton Lake. Information kiosk, restrooms and playground equipment on site for family enjoyment.
Wallace Park
across from St. Michaels Catholic Church on S. 7th Street - downtown Roscommon
A small picnic area on the banks of the AuSable River. It has a nice quiet picnic area where you can watch the canoes go by while enjoying your lunch/picnic.
Public Service Announcement
Swimmer's Itch
- Swimmer's Itch Information
Swimmer's itch is fairly common in many of the pristine lakes in our area, including Higgins Lake. Below is a link to information provided by Gerrish Township which includes: What Swimmer's Itch Is, Symptoms, What You Can Do, How It Is Transmitted and Treatment.
Download Swimmer's Itch Information pdf 1.80 mb